Movie Reviews

MUSICAL MAYHEM

Michael Butts | Martinsburg, WV USA | 12/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"STRANGE FREQUENCY, originally aired on VH-1, harkens back to the days of those wonderful anthologies like TALES FROM THE CRYPT, TALES THAT WITNESS MADNESS, etc., and surprisingly, it works. One of the best anthologies of recent years, STRANGE FREQUENCY gives us four different tales, all with a musical theme. In DISCO INFERNO, we meet two hard core rock and rollers (Danny Masterson, Erik Palladino), who crash their car into a telephone pole and seek solace in a nightclub. The club turns out to be a disco club, right out of the seventies. The manager, Dante (Martin Cummins) is a John Travolta clone, and introduces the boys to some hot chicks. Of course our rockers belittle and berate the disco scene, and find out there's more to the club than meets the eye. Wonderfully performed, the ultimate resolution is obvious, but it has some nice twists, and lots of humor. You also get to hear "Disco Inferno," "Der Kommissar" and yes, "YMCA." Tongue in cheek, it's a winner. In "My Generation," we meet Eric Roberts, a dinosaur from the past who listens to people like Bob Dylan, The Who and others from that generation. He picks up hitchhikers heading for a rockfest in Seattle, and yes, he bumps them off because of their disrespect for his music. His latest hiker, Christopher Masterson, is just like the rest, but he has his own agenda. Marvelously played out, there are lots of laughs, and an ending that is appropriately fitting. "Room Service" features Duran Duran's John Taylor as Jimmy Blitz, a has been super rock star, who is as obnoxious as they get. Holland Taylor steals the show as the housekeeper who manages to get the room in shape after all of his wild parties. When she reveals to a reporter that she has housekept for such stars as Sinatra, Jagger and Little Richard, she gets the headline Blitz wanted to restart his career. To get revenge, he goes to outrageous lengths to destroy the room, each time finding it immaculately cleaned. When he attacks the lady's cleaning cart, however, disaster ensues. This is cleverly written and performed, and its ending is remarkably fun. The final story, "More than a Feeling" takes the mood a lot darker, and has a chilling denouement. Judd Nelson is very good as talent agent Martin Potter, who has this remarkable talent for picking out superstars, a true "gut" reaction that almost renders him incapacitated. He is worried, though, because every star he has made (except 2) have died. His latest is a female singer (Marla Sokoloff) who has gone multiplatinum, and now decides she's ready for a break. Her brutish manager/boyfriend (Nels Lennarson) goes through the roof and Martin is concerned for her welfare. His other discovery Dean (Adrian Holmes) is working as producer, as well. What happens in the end is chilling to say the least.STRANGE FREQUENCY is a very entertaining, witty and original collection. I recommend it."

John Taylor Blitz

M J Kontothanassis | Sydney, NSW Australia | 06/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Four hip short films with a twist,the best of which is "Room Service",in which real life rock icon John Taylor plays Jimmy Blitz,a caricature of the seediest hotel trashing guitar heroes.He pits his wits against the hotel maid in a totally wild performance,destroying her efforts to restore the place to sanity every morning-after-the-night-before.In a typical Strange Frequency ending,he gets his just desserts in the end.The other three short films are about rock and pop also,and all of them will get you thinking,make you laugh and entertain you like no other."

So-so series doesn't take advantage of its talent

yourlibrarian | USA | 03/20/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this set for the "Soul Man" segment starring James Marsters and Roger Daltrey. None of the four stories, however is all that engaging despite having some notable actors taking part. The stories are somewhat predictable, the acting is uneven (Peter Strauss appears to be sleepwalking through his performance although his segment is perhaps the most interesting), and since each of them is rather brief you have little time to be engaged by the characters even when the actors have something to work with. Best rented rather than purchased, I doubt many will want to review these stories more than once."

John Taylor shows potential as an actor!

Shiloh Kremer | 02/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Strange Frequency is a series of short comedy/horror flicks that include Eric Roberts and Judd Nelson. The best short story is Room Servce which features John Taylor who plays a dark, mean character named Jimmy Blitz. Taylor shows anger and a true lack of concern for anyone but himself which gives his acting true credibility. He does get what's coming to him in theshocking end.

The movie is great. But John Taylor creates another level of excitement with his acting talent. I rate this movie with 5 stars."